Biblical Canon, Textual Criticism, and Covenant Vocabulary (Pages 1-5)

Vocabulary flashcards covering canonical terms, manuscript terms, and key biblical covenants from the lecture notes.

Scripture

Writings that function authoritatively for the faith and practice of a religious group.

Canon

An official list or definition of the scriptural texts recognized by a faith community.

Old Testament

The Hebrew Bible: includes Torah/Pentateuch, Prophets, and Writings; order differs from the Christian canon.

New Testament

The collection of early Christian writings recognized as scripture, including the Gospels, Acts, Pauline and General letters.

Testament (covenant)

Latin term for covenant; distinguishes Old Testament from New Testament in Christian usage.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis–Deuteronomy); also called the Pentateuch.

Pentateuch

Another name for the Torah; the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Prophets

Hebrew Bible books categorized as prophets (Former and Latter) dating to around 300 BCE.

Writings

Ketuvim; third division of the Hebrew Bible, composed roughly around 100–200 CE.

Septuagint

Ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, originated in Alexandria in the 2nd century BCE.

Apocrypha

Deuterocanonical books included in some canons but not in the Hebrew Bible.

Pauline letters

Letters attributed to Paul; among the earliest Christian writings, ca. 100 CE (about 13 letters).

Four-Gospel collection

Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; collected early to mid 2nd century; part of NT canon.

Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the primary narratives of Jesus’ life in the NT.

Acts of the Apostles

New Testament book describing early Christian history and missionary activity.

Catholic collection

Early reference to a universal NT collection (catholic) to balance apostolic authority; first noted by Eusebius.

Athanasius’ Festal Letter (367 CE)

Earliest list affirming the 27 NT books as the closed New Testament canon.

Apostolicity

Canon criterion: writings must be connected to an Apostle or associates and align with apostolic teaching.

Universality (Catholicity)

Canon criterion: reverence and use by the whole church; widely recognized as authoritative.

Traditional use

Canon criterion: consistent, long-standing usage in worship and teaching.

Manuscript

A handwritten copy of a text, not a printed edition.

Autograph

The original manuscript written by the author; none survive for NT texts.

Papyrus

Ancient writing material made from the papyrus plant used for manuscripts.

Parchment

Writing material made from animal skin used for manuscripts.

Codex

Book-form manuscript with pages; an early bound form as opposed to a scroll.

Scroll

rolled sheet of writing material read by unrolling; common in antiquity.

Nomina sacra

Scribal convention of abbreviating sacred names (e.g., Jesus, God) in manuscripts.

Tetragrammaton

The four-letter Hebrew name of God (YHWH) frequently abbreviated in manuscripts.

Scriptio continua

Writing text without spaces or punctuation between words.

J account (Yahwist)

Genesis source traditionally called the Yahwist; one of the documentary sources.

P account (Priestly)

Genesis source traditionally attributed to the Priestly writer.

Genesis

First book of the Bible; covers primeval history (1–11), creation (Gen 1–2), the Fall (Gen 3–11), and Abrahamic history (Gen 12–50).

Primeval history

Genesis 1–11: creation, fall, flood, and Babel.

Abrahamic Covenant

God’s promise to Abraham of land, descendants, and blessing; sign = circumcision.

Circumcision

Sign of the Abrahamic covenant; physical mark of the covenant with Abraham’s descendants.

Crossing of the Red Sea

Saving event in Exodus where God delivers Israel from Egypt through the sea.

Mosaic Covenant

Sinai covenant; conditional; Israel must obey the Law; sign = keeping the Sabbath holy.

Decalogue / Ten Commandments

The ten laws given at Sinai; termed Decalogue in Jewish tradition and Ten Commandments in Christian tradition.

Sabbath

The command to keep the Sabbath holy as part of the Mosaic covenant.

Promissory Covenant

Unconditional covenants rooted in God’s initiative (Noahic, Abrahamic, Davidic, New Covenant).

Noahic Covenant

God’s promise never to flood the earth again; sign often cited as the rainbow.

Abrahamic Covenant (promissory)

Promise of descendants, land, and blessing to all nations; sign = circumcision.

Davidic Covenant

Promise of an everlasting kingdom through David’s line.

New Covenant

God’s promise of forgiveness of sins and the indwelling Spirit; Jeremiah 31; Luke 22.

Suzerain-Vassal Covenant

Ancient treaty model with a greater king (suzerain) and lesser party (vassal); blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience.

Covenant nonism

A stance suggested in the notes contrasting with covenant legalism, emphasizing grace and relationship over strict legal compliance.